And that's all the story, young gents. Generally I tells it a
sight longer to the gents as come down from London in summer; but,
you see, I can't make much out of it when ye won't let me have
'bellishments."
"And how much of it is true altogether, Jack?" Frank asked. "Really
how much?"
"It's all true as I have told you, young masters," the boatman
said. "It were every bit true about the running down of the smack,
and me being nearly killed by the skipper, and the mutiny, and
the burning of the vessel, and my living for a long time--no, I
won't stick to the two years, but it might have been three weeks,
with the natives before a ship picked me up. And that's good enough
for a yarn, ain't it?"
"Quite good enough, Jack, and we're much obliged to you; but I
should advise you to drop the embellishments in future."
"It ain't no use, Master Hargate, they will have 'bellishments,
and if they will have 'em, Jack Perkins isn't the man to disappint
'em; and, Lord bless you, sir, the stiffer I pitches it in the
more liberal they is with their tips. Thank ye kindly all round,
gentlemen. Yes, I do feel dry after the yarn."
CHAPTER IV: A RISING TIDE
The half year was drawing to its close, and it was generally
agreed at Dr.
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